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2021 NFL draft prospects: Oklahoma C Creed Humphrey

Eric Edholm's criteria for grading NFL draft prospects. (Albert Corona/Yahoo Sports)
Eric Edholm's criteria for grading NFL draft prospects. (Albert Corona/Yahoo Sports)

Oklahoma C Creed Humphrey

6-foot-4, 320 pounds

Yahoo Sports draft grade: 5.78 — potential starter

TL;DR scouting report: Sound, smart and steady pivot with wrestling background and the demeanor and approach to be a 12-year pro

Games watched: Alabama (2018), Baylor (2019), Iowa State (2020), Oklahoma State (2020), Florida (2020)

The skinny: A 3-star Rivals recruit from rural Oklahoma, Humphrey received scholarship offers from the likes of Alabama but seemed destined to end up a Sooner. After redshirting in 2017, Humphrey won the starting center job in 2018 and was named second-team all-Big 12 (media) and honorable mention (coaches) for the Joe Moore Award-winning OU line. As a redshirt sophomore in 2019, Humphrey was named a second-team AP All-American, was one of three finalists for the Rimington Trophy (given to the nation’s top center) and was selected as the Big 12 Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year. Following his 2020 season, in which he was named third-team AP All-American and Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, Humphrey declared for the 2021 draft. He competed at the 2021 Senior Bowl.

Upside: Experienced leader who played nearly 2,500 snaps in three seasons and appeared in three conference-title games and two CFP games. High floor as a prospect — should be ready to compete for a starting job on Day 1.

Nice combination of strength and smarts. Displayed poise and excellent technique as redshirt freshman in 2018 on the Joe Moore Award-winning Sooners line that saw the other four starters get drafted — looked and played like an upperclassman who was one of the leaders of that unit. Battled Quinnen Williams as well as you could have hoped, head to head, that season.

Handled line checks and protection adjustments for NFL QBs Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts and future NFL QB Spencer Rattler. Zero sacks allowed over three seasons. Sets his hands and feet well after the snap and has good upper-body strength to handle defenders’ initial shock. High school wrestler who plays the leverage game extremely well.

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 29: Oklahoma offensive lineman Creed Humphrey (56) during the second half of the CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl between Alabama Crimson Tide and the Oklahoma Sooners on December 29, 2018, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Oklahoma center Creed Humphrey has the look of a solid, 12-year pro. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Credited with possessing natural leadership skills. Well-liked and respected by OU teammates and coaches. Looks to have a pro-ready mentality. Solid week at Senior Bowl — took snaps at guard and center and looked fluid and effective in pass-rush drills. Finishes blocks and plays with a vet’s savvy.

Downside: Good but hardly great athlete. Lateral movement skill is just OK. Reaches second level but isn’t as effective working in space. Might have sub-par length — arm length appears to be below desired benchmark.

Profiles as a good prospect but with a limited ceiling. Played only center in college (although he practiced at guard and played there at the Senior Bowl).

Got worked over by Baylor’s Bravvion Roy (2020 Panthers sixth-rounder) in Big 12 title game in 2019. Squatty, powerful d-linemen seemed to give him trouble. Will show some nastiness at times, but it’s inconsistent.

Not a finesse blocker but hardly a mauler either. Lack of dominant reps against top competition. Solid drive blocker but not a road grader in the run game.

Racked up some penalties — 14 over three seasons. Left-handed center, which could be a short-term adjustment for quarterbacks taking snaps from center.

Best-suited destination: How about a team like the Miami Dolphins? Humphrey’s intangibles are likely to fit well with Brian Flores’ team that has a need on the inside of its line. Plus, we could have a lefty center snapping to a lefty QB (if Tua Tagovailoa isn’t traded), which might be an NFL first.

Did you know: A lifelong Sooners fan, Creed and his father, Chad, often went to football games together. They also shared a bond over wrestling. Chad was an All-America wrestler at Central Oklahoma, and Creed took up the sport at age 4.

Player comp: Humphrey can become the next Ryan Jensen — a former sixth-round center who has carved out a nice career with the Ravens and Buccaneers.

Expected draft range: Rounds 2 or 3